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Beauly to Denny Overhead Transmission Line
Conditions 20 and 21: Errochty and Muthill Conservation Area
Rationalisation Schemes – Briefing Note
Background
The decision letter from Colin Imrie to Ian Marchant at Scottish and Southern
Energy Plc on 06 January 2010 granted consent, subject to certain
Conditions, to the application for the development of the 400kV overhead
transmission line between a proposed extended substation at Beauly, near
Inverness, and the Wharry Burn, near Dunblane1. Conditions 20 and 21 of
the consent (attached at Annex A for reference) refer to an “Errochty
Rationalisation Scheme” and a “Muthill Conservation Area Rationalisation
Scheme” respectively.
Purpose
To provide guidance on the Scottish Government’s intentions regarding the
Errochty and Muthill Conservation Area Rationalisation Schemes.
Purpose of the Schemes
To mitigate the visual impact of the wirescape in the Perth & Kinross Council
area resulting from the combined presence of the consented 400kV and the
existing 132kV, 33kV and other low voltage overhead lines, and to ensure the
views of local communities are fully taken into account, particularly though
1
A second letter was sent to Scottish Power Transmission Limited granting consent for the application
of the development between the Wharry Burn, near Dunblane to the proposed substation north east of
Dunipace, Denny.
Perth and Kinross Council, before any proposals are approved. The
Rationalisation schemes will see the mitigation of around 7.4km of existing
wirescape in the Perth & Kinross Council area.
Rationale
The issue of impacts on visual amenity has been the focus of significant
discussion among the applicants, the statutory consultees and in the evidence
presented to the Public Local Inquiry (PLI).
The PLI reporters endorsed the iterative route selection process adopted by
the developers, which sought to avoid undue impacts on visual amenity where
possible, and concluded that the route as now consented was logical and
justified.
Nevertheless, at para 1.12.158 of Volume 4 of the PLI report, the reporters
conclude that:
“We consider that the proposed undergrounding of some 2.8km of the 132kV
tower line south of White Bridge would offer a measure of mitigation… we
believe that this additional mitigation measure, along with the undergrounding
of the nearby 33kV pole-mounted line, is essential to reduce the wirescape
impacts at this section of the line.”
At para 1.12.159 the reporters further conclude that “similarly, the proposed
undergrounding of some 5.4km of the same line between Corrymuckloch,
south of Amulree, and Dunie Den in Glenalmond would provide mitigation
through the reduction of wirescape… we consider this additional mitigation
measure is essential to reduce impacts and that the undergrounded section
should be extended by some 2km to the north-east to a point near Girron.”
Further, at para 11.4.2 the reporters “agree with Perth & Kinross Council that
implementation of the additional mitigation measures (proposed) would go
some way to offsetting the adverse landscape and visual amenity of Muthill
residents and benefit to the local and wider landscapes if low voltage lines in
Muthill and the 33kV overhead line to the west of Muthill were
undergrounded”.
The reporters recommended that Conditions securing these measures be
attached to any grant of consent. Scottish Ministers agree with these
conclusions and recommendations and have imposed Conditions 20 and 21
accordingly.
Details of locations
The two wirescape rationalisation schemes must include proposals for the
undergrounding of sections of existing overhead electric lines. These sections
are located as follows:
Errochty
1. the 132kV Errochty-Burghmuir overhead line between White Bridge
and south east of Glengoulandie Deer Park;
2. the 33kV Errochty-Aberfeldy-Killin pole between White Bridge and
south east of Glengoulandie Deer Park
3. the 132kV Errohty-Burghmuir line between north-east of Girron and
Dunie Den plantation
Muthill
1. the low voltage overhead lines within the village of Muthill, including the
overhead services to individual properties; and
2. the 33kV overhead line west of Muthill, which runs in parallel to the
existing 132kV overhead line.
The Scottish Government’s intentions with regards to the
Rationalisation Schemes
The Errochty and Muthill Wirescape Rationalisation Schemes will comprise of
measures to be undertaken by Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission Limited
(SHETL) to minimise the landscape and visual impact of the new 400kV line
in the Perth & Kinross Council area.
Conditions 20 and 21 state that: “Neither the overhead transmission line, nor
the towers carrying the line, shall be installed or constructed…” in the whole
Perth & Kinross Council area until the requirements at (1)(a), (b) and (c) are
fulfilled.
Errochty
Part 4 of Condition 20 details certain sections of existing overhead line which
must be included in the Scheme. The Condition requires the developers to
bring forward proposals to mitigate the visual impact of the wirescape around
Errochty. These proposals must include plans for the undergrounding of the
132kV Errochty-Burghmuir overhead line between White Bridge and south
east of Glengoulandie Deer Park, the existing 33kV Errochty-Aberfeldy-Killin
pole between White Bridge and south east of Glengoulandie Deer Park, and
the existing 132kV Errohty-Burghmuir line between north-east of Girron and
Dunie Den plantation.
Muthill
Part 4 of Condition 21 details certain sections of existing overhead line which
must be included in the Scheme. The Condition requires the developers to
bring forward proposals to mitigate the visual impact of the wirescape in
Muthill. These proposals must include plans for the undergrounding of
particular low voltage overhead lines within Muthill and the 33kV overhead
line to the west of Muthill.
Consultation
The Scottish Government is required by Conditions 20 and 21 to consult with
Perth & Kinross Council before approving any scheme proposed by the
developers. In particular, the Council has a crucial role to play in representing
the views of the local community. It is our view that the Council should be
consulted from the outset in the design of the scheme by Scottish HydroElectric Transmission Ltd. and we understand the company fully intends to do
so.
Process
Conditions 20 and 21 lay out three requirements that must be fulfilled before
the overhead transmission line or the towers can be erected. It is the
intention of the Scottish Government that these three requirements run
sequentially, as follows.
1. The Developers come forward with proposals for the scheme, after
consultation with Perth & Kinross Council. It is important that proposals
are made as soon as possible, in order that the appropriate
consultation can then be undertaken.
2. The Scottish Government will allow 30 days for consultation with Perth
& Kinross Council on any proposal. Ministers decide if the proposals
appropriately fulfil the purpose of the scheme.
3. Provided that approval for the proposal has been given by Scottish
Ministers, the Developers obtain any further permissions and consents
required to implement the approved scheme
Further Advice and Discussion
The Scottish Government is very keen to engage with Perth & Kinross Council
where we can be of assistance on these matters. If you require any further
clarification please do not hesitate to contact me at the following number or
email address:
Simon Coote
The Scottish Government
Head of Energy Consents and Deployment
Business, Enterprise and Energy Directorate
Tel: 0300 244 1238
Email: simon.coote@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
ANNEX A
The Errochty Rationalisation Scheme Condition
Errochty Rationalisation Scheme
20.-(1) Neither the overhead transmission line or the towers carrying that line shall be
installed or constructed in the area of PKC until(a) the applicant has submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval a scheme
prepared in accordance with this Condition setting out proposals to mitigate
the impact of wirescape in the in the vicinity ofthe lines mentioned in
paragraph (2) ('the Errochty Rationalisation Scheme');
(b) the Scottish Ministers have, in consultation with PKC, approved the
Errochty Rationalisation Scheme; and
(c) the applicant has obtained any consents and permissions necessary to
enable the applicant to implement the approved Errochty Rationalisation
Scheme.
(4) The Errochty Rationalisation Scheme is to include proposals for the
undergrounding of:
(a) the existing 132kV Errochty-Burghmuir overhead line between White
Bridge in the vicinity of tower TD 17 and the vicinity of angle tower TD22 to
the south east of Glengoulandie Deer Park;
(b) the existing Errochty-Aberfeldy-Killin pole mounted 33kV line between
White Bridge and the angle tower TD22 to the south east of Glengoulandie
Deer Park; and
(c) the existing 132kV Errochty-Burghmuir overhead line between the existing
angle tower northeast of Girron and the vicinity of angle tower TD98 at Dunie
Den plantation.
(5) The applicant shall implement the approved Errochty Rationalisation Scheme
within one year of the commissioning of the overhead transmission line unless
otherwise agreed in writing by the Scottish Ministers.
The Muthill Conservation Area Rationalisation Scheme Condition
Muthill Conservation Area Rationalisation Scheme
21.-(1) Neither the overhead transmission line or the towers carrying that line shall be
installed or constructed in the area of PKC until(a) the applicant has submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval a scheme
prepared in accordance with this Condition setting out proposals to mitigate
the impact of wirescape in the vicinity of Muthill ('the Muthill Conservation
Area Rationalisation Scheme');
(b) the Scottish Ministers have, in consultation with PKC, approved Muthill
Conservation Area Rationalisation Scheme; and
(c) the applicant has obtained any consents and permissions necessary to
enable the applicant to implement the approved Muthill Conservation Area
Rationalisation Scheme.
(4) The Muthill Conservation Area Rationalisation Scheme is to include proposals for
the undergrounding of:
(i) the low voltage overhead electricity lines within the village of Muthill
shown as solid green lines on the inset map of APL PTH 42 (Alternative
Additional Mitigation Measures); and
(ii) the 33kV overhead electricity line to the west of Muthill shown as a dotted
green line on the main map of APL PTH 42.
(5) The applicant shall implement the approved Muthill Conservation Area
Rationalisation Scheme within one year of the commissioning of the overhead
transmission line unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Scottish Ministers.